Mat



A. K. HODES Nov. 27, 1934.

MAT

Filed Nov. 17 1935 gnaw Adam K Hades.

Wang

Patented Nov; 27, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y 1,982,515 MAT Adam K. Hoiles, Fremont, Ohio Application November 17, 1933, Serial No. 698,515

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to mats, more especially to rubber mats for floors of, automobiles, motor boats, aeroplanes, or the like, and has for one of its main objects to provide a mat 5 having a more durable construction than like mats heretofore known and used, which may be readily made to properly fit any type or model of vehicle.

Another important object of the invention resides in the provision of a vehicle floor mat possessing a certain degree of inherent resiliency, rendering the mat capable of relieving the-shocks and hard wear to whichsuch mats are usually subjected, and of preventing the mat from prematurely splitting and tearing particularly at those parts where the feet of the vehicle occupants generally rest.

The invention also aims to provide a mat of the character mentioned, which has assured insulating properties and is most effective to eliminate dampness, drafts and dust thereby imparting to the mat characteristic sanitary and comfort features.

It is also among the desired features of the in- 5 vention to provide a vehicle floor matwhich will adhere to the surface over which it is placed thus obviating the inconveniences occasioned by the creeping and sliding of the mat over said surface.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be more readily understood by persons skilled in the art, I have in the accompanying drawing and in the detailed description based.

thereupon, set out a possible embodiment of the same.

In this drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective of the improved mat showing the same as applied for use;

Figure 2 is an enlarged section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional detail illustrating the preferred mode of constructing the mat, and

Figure 4 is a similar view illustrating the construction of the mat after the two layers thereof have been united.

Having more particular reference to the drawing wherein like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, my improved mat may be stated to comprise a floor covering or top layer 1 preferably consisting of a sheet of semi-rigid rubber. The upper or exposed surface of the top layer 1 may present any suitable or desirable designimpressed or molded therein, whereas the lower or under surface-of said layer 1 is made with series of depressions forming cells 2.

Cemented, vulcanized, molded or otherwise affixed to the lower or under surface of the layer 1, is a body or bottom layer 3 of resilient material preferably a, sheet of soft or sponge rubber.

In practice, it is found most advantageous and desirable to unite said top and bottom layers by vulcanizing, for which purpose, as more clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, a coat of cement 4 is applied to that surface of the bottom layer disposed adjacent the under surface of the top layer 1. Upon subjecting the mat thus assembled to the proper degree of heat necessary to effect the vulcanization, the associated layers 1 and 2, respectively, will become rigidly adherent and homogeneous, thus constituting a finished mat which has all appearances of being constructed from a single sheet as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing. The cells 2 provided upon the under surface of the top layer 1 become filled with the adjacent portions of the lower layer as at 5', which, it will be understood, so causes a most perfect homogeneity between both layers.

It will be appreciated that a mat constructed as hereinbefore described, can be made by mere- 1y trimming its edges, tofit any type or model 5 of vehicle. The clutch and foot brake pedals P, emergency brake lever L, gear shift lever box G and like vehicle operating members projecting from the floor of the vehicle, are accommodated by cutting straight line slits 5 through the mat. This permits such projecting members to movefreely and yet that portion of the mat close to the members, snugly embraces said members as shown at '7 in Figure 2 of the drawing, while the slit will completely close, as indicated at 8,

following the displacement of the member. In this manner, it will be appreciated that the improved mat in itself affords complete protection against heat, cold and ,dust coming through around said members, and that without necessitating the utilization of separate and complicated means which are now commonly employed for this purpose.

Therefore, in using my improved devices, these disadvantages and inconveniences of mats heretofore known, are eliminated. Furthermore, the improved mat, because of its inherent resiliency and adaptability to constantly assume its normal formation, the same will always keep its proper position over the floor and will not curl hicles, having a configuration to fit snugly over the floor of the vehicle adjacent the drivers seat thereof and to permit the operating members of the vehicle to extend therethrough, comprising a top layer of semi-rigid rubber, a bottom layer of sponge rubber adherently fixed to said top layer, both layers having straight slits cut therethrough for accommodating the vehicle operating members, that portion of the semi-rigid top layer adjacentthe slits thereof normally urging the slitted portion of the sponge rubber bottom layer in snug engagement about the operating members of the vehicle, whereby such operating members may be free to move in said slots and said sponge rubber bottom layer, at

all times, forming a seal about the operating members of the vehicle.

ADAM K. HODES. 

